Apr 19 Hit and Run: My book is dedicated to New Zealand military - Nicky Hager, author and investigative journalist

- this is a moral test for the country as well, he adds

Nicky Hager, author of Hit and Run, co-written with war correspondent Jon Stephenson, addressing the gathering on April 6, at the Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch. The public meeting was organised by the Christchurch Progressive Network led by last year's mayoral candidate John Minto. "The book is about what the New Zealand military – and especially the Special Air Service (SAS) – did in Afghanistan in response to the first New Zealander dying in combat in August 2010," said Hager while releasing the book in March.

Quotes from Nicky Hager:

"I dedicate my book to New Zealand's military. You have to remember that it was someone from the military itself who came to me with the story in the first place."

"While there may have been other raids like these which involved NZ's SAS, this is the most horrible example that is in my knowledge where rules were not followed."

"I am actually very happy with the response of the opposition parties. Labour has said that they will order an enquiry into the raid if they come to power in September."

"The issue raised in the book is a moral test for New Zealand. What matters are not the noble declarations, but what we do about hard and uneasy issues like these."

"The Government has been doing what they always do. It denies, divert and hopes the issue dies."

"Hit and Run is based on numerous and extensive interviews with people involved in these events, including New Zealand and Afghan military personnel as well as residents of the villages. All wanted this story told to recognise the dead and the injured. This story also needs to be told to ensure our military is held to account for its actions."

“Whether or not the public agreed with New Zealand sending troops to the US-led war in Afghanistan, there is no doubt that what the SAS did was wrong and betrayed the defence force’s core values of courage, commitment and integrity.”